How to Save Water and Energy in Showers

When considering your water use, two factors need to be taken into consideration: heat & water. Heating your water accounts for at least 20% of your power bill. Baths and showers utilize 37% of that. This means that 6% of your power bill is dedicated to heating water for your showers and baths. The good news is that with small changes you can save on both heating and water costs.

Hold your shower head. You should be aware that most of the water flowing from a shower head is wasted. Handheld shower headsprovideimproved focus, enabling you to achieve more with less.

Don’t use shower heads with the “mist” selection. They basically only humidify your residence. This is particularly wasteful during the summer time.

Put baths behind you. Baths are just massive resource wasters and they need to become a thing of the past. To put it simply, there is no such thing as an economical bath. In terms of water only, baths are twice as expensive as showers. Taking a bath uses at least 20 gallons of water. Meanwhile, a five-minute shower uses 10 gallons of water.

Shower together. Put your kids into the shower together. Take a shower together with your partner. It is both economical and fun.

Take shorter showers. To reach its full efficiency, a shower needs to serve its purpose—to get you cleaned. Meditating in the warm waterfall can be pleasing, but it wastes two precious resources: water and energy. You should explore other alternatives for relaxation. Start by removing or concealing all bathroom culprits that depict your shower as a relaxation spot such as radios, TVs, scenic views etc.

Install a grey water recycle system. This system recycles your home’s water. It works like this: A tank is connected to certain drains. After a sanitizing process is done, the water will be brought up to sanitation values appropriate for landscaping and washing.

The superior techniques can sanitize water sufficiently well to be consumed. Not only does grey water counterbalances the need for treating water to the maximum drinkable criteria; it may be valuable to plants as it’s likely to contain valuable nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogen. The system is most economical when installed while building a new house, rather than upgrading an existing house.

Install a low flow shower head. A shower will consume more water if an old, wasteful shower head is in use, as it delivers 4-5 gallons of water per minute. The Energy Policy Act sets maximum water flow rates at 2.5 gallons per minute. The approved shower heads are at or below this figure.

With an improved water flow, a 10-minute shower will utilize 25 gallons of water, saving 5 gallons compared to a bath. An efficient shower head will also save on electricity (an estimated $145 per year)—being more economical than both the old-fashioned shower head and the bath. Low-flow shower heads are designed to save water, while creating more water pressure so that you are unaware that you’re getting less.

For more information and tips on how to save energy visit Energy Star website.